Overview
- Flames erupted on baggage-handling equipment beside the aircraft during boarding for Flight LA3418 to Porto Alegre at Guarulhos.
- Roughly 180 passengers and crew evacuated using the boarding bridge and inflatable slides under the direction of trained staff.
- Authorities reported no injuries as airport firefighters quickly contained the blaze and removed the damaged conveyor belt from the stand.
- LATAM described the fire as small and said the aircraft did not catch fire, with smoke from the equipment triggering safety protocols.
- Passengers were rebooked after the evacuation, and LATAM said the equipment involved belonged to an external ground-handling company.